A Sky Full of Stars

9. The Coronation

May was destined to be a month full of surprises. And the first surprise was the coronation of King Charles and Camilla. The entire country prepared for the first coronation in seventy years and tons of events were announced to the public. The entire city had decorations hanging from the street lights and hosted coronation parties in the week leading up to the coronation. Street corners and shops had coronation deals on drinks and decorations.

Seeing the city celebrate gave Emilia mini culture shock. Even presidential inaugurations that occur every four years didn't have that much celebration. Across the British isles, everybody was getting ready for the big event of the year.

Emilia and Angelina traveled to Glasgow to see one of the street parties. A celebratory feeling hung in the air. Crowds of people packed the streets and dispersed to different food and souvenir stands. Pubs and restaurants pushed their outdoor seating to the side streets or limited the amount of chairs and tables.

Emilia and Angelina walked through Buchanan street-Glasgow's fanciest shopping district. Buchanan street was packed with people going in and out of shops and restaurants. Emilia found a park bench by a park and sat down. Angelina sat down next to her and handed her a snow cone. "Here ya go!"

"Thanks. Do you guys usually go all out when stuff like this happens?" Emilia asked.

"Only in the past two years. The Queen's Platinum Jubilee last year and the coronation," Angelina said. "I'm actually surprised Glasgow went all out despite the call for Scottish independence and all. Do you guys go all out each time a president is sworn into office?"

Emilia took a bite of the snow cone. "Not really. It's just a normal day. Nothing closes and people still go to work and school. It happens regularly so it lost its touch."

"Just wait until Saturday. Are yer watching it with your family or with Logan?"

"Logan's coming over and watching it with my family. My dad finally has a day off, and it'll be nice to celebrate it together."

"Are yer ready to introduce Logan to yer pa?" Angelina asked.

"I think so. It's been a month since we started dating. I think it'll go well."

Angelina laughed. "It should go well. Don't stress about it."

~-~-~-~-~-~-~

The morning of the coronation gave Emilia tons of stress. She decorated the living room, so it looked pretty and bought tons of food to snack on during the event. She wanted everything to be perfect.

Her brother and father sat in the living room while Emilia finished decorating a small cake. She heard the doorbell ring and Derrick's footsteps. Faint conversations slipped from the front of the room and then another set of footsteps. Derrick poked his head into the kitchen.

"Logan's here," Derrick said.

Emilia nodded her head and frosted the last piece of cake. The cake was covered in chocolate frosting and had a badly frosted picture of the king and queen's coat of arms. She picked up the cake platter and slowly walked out of the kitchen.

"Here's the cake! Is anything happening?" Emilia said as she placed the cake on a table.

"They're just heading to Westminster," Derrick said. "You didn't miss anything."

Emilia looked up. Derrick and Logan stood in front of the TV and watched the scene unfolding-The Prince and Princess of Wales and their family arrived at Westminster. They followed the King and Queen into the abbey. Her dad sat on the couch and had his eyes closed.

"Right. So we have cake, drinks, and picky bits," Emilia said. "There's more picky bits and drinks in the kitchen. Feel free to help yourselves."

Derrick immediately made a beeline for the food. Emilia walked to her dad and shook his shoulder. Her dad jolted forward and opened his eyes.

"Food is out and Logan is here," Emilia said. "He's ready to meet you."

Her dad pushed her away. Emilia knew that he didn't want to be with his children, and instead, wanted to be stuck in a tight corridor with his work friends. She buried the feeling and motioned to Logan to join her. Logan sat down on the floor with a plate full of food.

"Dad," Emilia said. "This is Logan."

Logan reached forward to shake her dad's hand, but her dad brushed away his advance. Her dad stared at Logan and then at Emilia.

"This is the guy you're dating?" her dad asked. "How come you didn't tell me before you invited him here?"

Emilia was taken aback by his words. She was sure that she told her dad about Logan even before they started dating. Her dad knew that Logan had been to her house before, and she has mentioned whenever she went out with him.

"I have," Emilia said to ease the tension. "He's been here before. Maybe you don't remember."

Emilia's dad looked up at her. "I feel like I would remember who my daughter brings into this household. Especially a guy."

Sensing some tension, Derrick walked into the living room. "Hey Logan. Can you join me in the conservatory? I have a question about a drink. "

Logan stood up and reached out for Emilia's hand. They held hands and he gave hers a squeeze. "It was nice meeting your dad."

As soon as Logan was out of earshot, Emilia gave her full attention to her dad. Her dad reached for some food and started to eat. His gaze was on the TV.

"What gives?" Emilia asked. "I told you multiple times that Logan was coming, so you can be introduced to each other. Why did you have to be so rude?"

"I wasn't being rude," her dad said. "I don't understand why you brought him here. How did he even get into the base in the first place?"

"He wanted to celebrate the coronation with us, and he wanted to meet you," Emilia said. "He's been on the base before. He got a pass at the visitor's gate."

"That doesn't mean shit. How come your brother knows more about him than me? I'm your father. I'm supposed to know these things."

"Why does it matter that Derrick knows more than you?" Emilia angrily asked. "I've brought it up multiple times to the both of you. He met Logan already. You're more focused on your work than your own children!"

Her dad was silent. He scoffed and stood up.

"You know what? You're just like your mother. Blinded in love and destined to have a failed relationship," her dad said as he walked to the door. "I'm going to work."

Emilia reached out to grab her dad's arm. Her dad pulled away, grabbed his keys, and opened the door.

"I don't approve of your relationship with him. You're giving me too many reasons why I should break the two of you up. Fuck you and your relationship," her dad said. He walked out the house and slammed the door.

Emilia stared at the door and tried to process the conversation. Nowhere did she ask for her dad's approval. All she wanted was the two of them to meet. She cursed at the door and walked back to the living room.

Derrick and Logan sat on the couch and talked about the coronation. Derrick noticed Emilia walk in and scooted over on the couch. Emilia sat down and sighed. The day's festivities were now stained by the act of hatred.

"Dad went to work, I presume?" Derrick asked.

"He did. He also said in his fit of rage that he doesn't approve of my relationship," Emilia said. Tears started to form in her eyes. "That blasted cunt."

"He doesn't mean it," Derrick said. "He's just upset that you're breaking away and happy. When the time is right, he'll make up his mind. But for now, leave everything about you and Logan up to me. Trust me."

"Are you sure?" Emilia asked.

"I'm sure. Your relationship is safe with me."